On Oct. 4, 2020, Darcy Martin made a pledge.
It was her granddaughter Traci Genereaux鈥檚 birthday, the third such painful date to pass since the 18-year-old鈥檚 death.
Police don鈥檛 know the exact date of Genereaux鈥檚 death. In October 2017, her remains were found on a farm on Salmon River Road in Silver Creek, and though police suspicion is high, charges have yet to be laid.
With no closure, Martin and the rest of the family haven鈥檛 had a proper chance to grieve.
But instead of waiting for the phone call that would provide that closure, this year Martin decided to do what Traci, full of life and generosity, would have done.
She and the family went out of pocket to sponsor local families in need this Christmas season, and Martin invited anyone who wished to contribute to Traci鈥檚 Gift to donate what they could in Traci鈥檚 memory.
Martin worked with local groups such as All Our Family Outreach Society to itentify local families in need, before showering them with Christmas support.
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鈥淪he loved Christmas and she loved giving. She was a very, very giving person. She鈥檇 give you the shirt off her back,鈥� Martin said.
The results were more than she ever expected. With $4,000 raised, Martin was able to fill Christmas wish lists for five seniors, and deliver turkey dinners and heaps of gifts to six families in the North Okanagan.
鈥淚t was such a wonderful experience and everyone was so appreciative and thankful,鈥� Martin said, having delivered the meals and parcels. 鈥淲e also wandered through the mall (Village Green Centre) as elves and spread a lot of cheer.鈥�
Martin describes Genereaux as bubbly and 鈥渃razy comedic,鈥� but her most lasting impression was her kindness.
Martin says if circumstances allow, she鈥檒l repeat the initiative next year.
Dropping off the presents to the families was emotional, though hugs had to be eschewed due to the pandemic.
鈥淚t was so great to be able to make someone else鈥檚 Christmas so much more special to them. We could see it in their faces and although they each wanted to hug us we had to give them a virtual one.鈥�
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